The Farmer Takes a Wife

The Farmer Takes a Wife is a 1934 play by Frank B. Elser and Marc Connelly based on the novel Rome Haul by Walter D. Edmonds. It was well-received upon its opening night on October 30, 1934 at the 46th Street Theatre. The play spawned two film adaptations. The first, a 1935 comedy film, was directed by Victor Fleming starred Janet Gaynor, and marked the Hollywood debut of Henry Fonda. Dan Harrow (Henry Fonda) works along the Erie Canal during the... more

The Farmer Takes a Wife is a 1934 play by Frank B. Elser and Marc Connelly based on the novel Rome Haul by Walter D. Edmonds. It was well-received upon its opening night on October 30, 1934 at the 46th Street Theatre. The play spawned two film adaptations. The first, a 1935 comedy film, was directed by Victor Fleming starred Janet Gaynor, and marked the Hollywood debut of Henry Fonda. Dan Harrow (Henry Fonda) works along the Erie Canal during the mid-19th century to raise money to buy a farm. While working, he meets Molly Larkins, a beautiful canal boat cook (Janet Gaynor). Although Harrow wants to marry Larkins, she's apprehensive about leaving the exciting canal life for one of a farmer's wife. A 1953 musical remake used a score by Harold Arlen and Cyril J. Mockridge. It was directed by Henry Levin and starring Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Eddie Foy Jr., and Thelma Ritter. less